Alberta Lacy

Alberta (McElwain) Lacy, beloved mother and grandmother, departed this life on March 9, 2021 at the age of 94.

Alberta was the oldest child of Miles and Alta (Banghart) McElwain.  She was baptized at an early age and was a member of Rich Hill Christian Church.  She remained a faithful servant throughout her entire life.

Alberta was born in Nevada, Missouri, and lived her young life in Jefferson City where she was always proud to say her father was employed at the State Capitol.  She also lived in Denton, Texas and Nevada, Missouri.

Alberta met and married her first husband, Jim Brooks, upon his return from Guadalcanal at the end of World War II. They made their home in Rich Hill, where the Fourth of July celebration became their all-time favorite holiday.  Early in her marriage, she worked at the insurance agency for George Flexsenhar, later working in Nevada at Community Lumber, eventually returning to Rich Hill as city clerk for many years.

She was a loving grandmother and great-grandmother, always welcoming her grandchildren’s friends into her home for slumber parties, hamburgers before ballgames, and all-day swim visits.

Alberta was known for her delicious pie baking skills, and baked countless desserts for the Lord’s Acre Supper and the Kern Center. She was also a very talented seamstress, making most of her daughter’s clothes throughout her life, including all of her prom dresses.

She was a past member of the Rich Hill Memorial Library Board and Kern Center Board, and was a “Pink Lady” for the Bates County Memorial Hospital Auxiliary.  She also volunteered many hours over her lifetime for the bloodmobile when it visited Rich Hill.

On June 8, 1996, Alberta married Wilbur Lacy.  They loved traveling together and were fortunate to experience sights around the world, including: New Zealand, Australia, and many countries in Europe.  They loved spending time together, whether duck hunting or just playing the card game “65”.  One of their favorites was the cake walk at the church fall festival.

Alberta was preceded in death by both husbands, Jim Brooks and Wilbur Lacy. She was also preceded in death by her granddaughter, Sybil Rachelle Steuck; her beloved son, Craig in 2004; brother, Jack McElwain; sister, Barbara Crabb; and special nephew, Roger Howell.

She is survived by her daughter, Cindy Steuck and husband Ron of Rich Hill, Missouri; four grandchildren: Whitney Rapp and husband Nathan, Nixa, Missouri; Andrea Davis and husband Willie, rural Appleton City, Missouri; Hayden Brooks and wife Jessica, Nashua, New Hampshire; and Taylor Talmage and husband Mitch, Wellsville, Kansas.  She is also survived by seven great-grandchildren: Alex and Brooke Rapp, Cameron and Garrett Davis, Trey Brooks, and Kaelyn and Anson Talmage.  One brother, Steve Howell, also survives.

Alberta was a blessing to her friends and her family

Funeral service 3 pm Saturday, March 13, 2021 at the Rich Hill Christian Church.  Burial will be in the Green Lawn Cemetery.  Contributions are suggested to Kern Center, Rich Hill Memorial Library, or the Rich Hill Christian Church.  Online condolences can be left t www.heuserfunerals.com.